Tagged: Walk

The Phils end up on the wrong side of a complete game pitchers’ duel as they lose to the Braves, 1-0.

Philadelphia_PhilliesThe Phils are shutout in an old-fashioned pitchers’ duel, as they drop their second straight game to the Braves, 1-0.

The Braves took the lead in the top of the fourth as, with nobody out, Evan Gattis hits a lead-off home run, his fourth home run of the season, and his third in two games, giving the Braves a 1-0 lead. That would end up being the final score as Phils’ starter Cliff Lee and Braves’ starter Julio Teheran would both throw complete games, with Lee constantly pitching his way out of trouble, as he gave up eleven hits, while striking out thirteen Braves, but ended up being outpitched by Teheran, who gave up only three hits to the Phils, a lead-off single in the bottom of the fifth, breaking up Teheran’s no-hit bid, a two-out single by Carlos Ruiz in the bottom of the eighth, and a two-out single by Jimmy Rollins in the bottom of the ninth, who then stole second base, to put himself into scoring position. But Teheran would then end the threat, and the game, by getting Chase Utley to ground out, 4-3, for the game’s final out.

Cliff Lee (2-2, 4.00) took the lost as he pitched nine innings, giving up a run on eleven hits and a walk, as he struck out thirteen Braves. Julio Teheran (2-1, 1.93) got the win as he also pitched nine innings, giving up just three hits, while striking out four.

The Phils had only three hits in the game, all singles, by Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz and Jimmy Rollins. They also had a stolen base (Rollins (3)) in the ballgame, while the defense performed a doubleplay.

The Phils (6-8, 4th) conclude their series with the Braves (10-4, 1st) with an afternoon game, already in progress.

The Phils’ offense strike back with a display of offense in support of Vance Worley as they defeat the D-backs, 8-5.

The Phils’ offense picked up the momentum from the previous night’s ninth-inning rally by striking for five extra-base hits, including three home runs, as they supported a good start by Vance Worley as they defeat the D-backs, 8-5.

The Phils broke up a 0-0 tie in the fourth as, with one man on, and with one man out, Hunter Pence hits a two-run home run, his third home run of the year, scoring Jimmy Rollins, who was safe at first on a force out, 4-6, as Pete Orr, who had started the inning off with a single, was wiped at second base for the inning’s first out, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Phils added to their lead three batters later as, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Laynce Nix hits a two-run bomb of his own, his first home run of the season, knocking in Ty Wigginton, who had just doubled, giving the Phils a 4-0 lead. The D-backs got a run back in the fifth as Cody Ransom hits a lead-off home run, his first home run of the season, cutting the Phils’ lead down to 4-1. The Phils made it a 7-1 lead in the seventh as, with the bases loaded, via singles by Nix and Brian Schneider, a sacrifice bunt by pinch hitter Placido Polanco, 1-4, moving both runners up a base, and a soft fly ball single to left by Juan Pierre, although the Phils’ broadcasters mention that the umpires may have made the wrong call, and with one man out, Orr hits a bases clearing triple, knocking in Nix, Schneider and Pierre. The D-backs tried to come back in their half of the seventh as, with one man on, and with nobody out, pinch hitter Ryan Roberts hits an RBI double, scoring Willie Bloomquist, who had started the inning with a double, cutting the Phils’ lead down to 7-2. Gerardo Parra cut the Phils’ lead down to 7-3 as he followed with an RBI double of his own, scoring Roberts. Two batters later, after Parra had stolen third base, and now with one man out, Justin Upton hits an RBI ground out, scoring Parra, and making it a 7-4 Phils’ lead. The Phils would get a run back in the eighth as Shane Victorino hits a lead-off home run, his fourth home run of the year, giving the Phils an 8-4 lead. The D-backs would get that run back in their half of the eighth as Jason Kubel hits a lead-off home run, his third home run of the year. That would end up being the final score as Jonathan Papelbon nailed down his sixth save of the season as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, getting Aaron Hill to fly out to right for the game’s final out.

Vance Worley (2-1, 2.16) got the win as he pitched six strong innings, giving up just one run on five scattered hits and a walk, while he struck out six. Jose Contreras pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up three runs on three hits, while he struck out a batter. Antonio Bastardo collected his first hold of the season as he pitched a third of an inning, getting out the only man that he would face. Chad Qualls pitched an inning, giving up a run on a hit, as he struck out the side. Jonathan Papelbon recorded his sixth save of the year as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Josh Collmenter (0-2, 9.82) took the lost as he went six innings plus two batters, giving up six runs on nine hits, while he struck out six. Bryan Shaw pitched an inning, giving up a run on two hits, while he struck out a batter. Mike Zagurski pitched two innings, giving up a run on a hit, as he also struck out one.

The Phils had twelve hits in the game, with Laynce Nix (Singles, Home Run, 2 RBIs) leading the team with three hits, raising his batting average to .333. Juan Pierre (Singles), Pete Orr (Single, Triple, 3 RBIs) and Brian Schneider (Singles), all followed with two hits apiece. Hunter Pence (Home Run, 2 RBIs), Shane Victorino (Home Run, RBI) and Ty Wigginton (Double) had the other three Phils’ hits, as the batters erupted for five extra-base hits (Double, Triple, 3 Home Runs), which were responsible for all eight Phils’ RBIs. Hopefully this is a precursor to a better offense.

The Phils (8-10, 4th East) will conclude their three-game series (and their road trip) with an afternoon game against the D-backs (9-9, 4th West). The game will be played at Chase Field, and is to start shortly. The Phils will send to the mound Cole Hamels (2-1, 2.95), who is coming off a win against the Padres on April 20, where he went six innings, giving up a run on six hits and a walk, while striking out four, in the Phils’ 4-1 win. He will be out to give the Phils the series win, and a spilt of the road trip. The D-backs will counter with Trevor Cahill (1-1, 2.84), who is coming off a lost against the Braves on April 20, as he pitched five and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out just two, in the D-backs’ 9-1 lost. He will be out to silent the Phils’ suddenly hot bats. The Phils will be out for a spilt of their road trip, while hoping that the bats will stay hot.

The Phils waste another good effort by one of their starters before losing to the Giants in extra-innings, 1-0.

The Phils wasted another good effort by Cliff Lee, as they are unable to capitalize in extra-innings, before finally losing to the Giants on a walk-off single, thanks to a defensive error, 1-0.

The Phils and Giants spent the first ten innings of last night’s game in a 0-0 pitchers’ duel between Phils’ starter Cliff Lee and Giants’ starter Matt Cain, although the later would then leave the game for a pinch hitter, and then Giants’ reliever Santiago Casilla, as Cain held the Phils to two hits and a walk, while striking out four, as he kept them from getting anything started, while Lee would throw ten scoreless innings, giving up seven scattered hits, as he struck out seven Giants, while getting out of a runners on the corners, nobody out, jam in the first, and a runner on second, no man out, jam in the fifth, before being taken out of the game for a pinch hitter in the top of the eleventh. The Phils then threaten to take the lead in the top of the eleventh as Carlos Ruiz started the inning off with a lead-off double, before going on to third on Freddy Galvis’ sacrifice bunt, 1-4, putting the go-ahead run on third, with less than two outs. But the Phils would be denied as first pinch hitter Jim Thome would strike out, swinging, for the inning’s second out, and then pinch hitter John Mayberry, Jr. would end the inning by grounding out, 6-3, for the inning’s final out. That would come back to haunt the Phils as the Giants started a rally going in their half of the eleventh as, with one man out, Brandon Belt got on base with a single to center field. Then, Angel Pagan followed with a grounder to third base which had doubleplay written all over it, but was instead booted by the third baseman, Ty Wigginton for a fielding error, allowing Belt to reach second base, and Pagan to reach first, with still one man out. The Giants then won the game as Melky Cabrera hits a walk-off RBI single to right, scoring Belt, who would beat right fielder Hunter Pence’s throw to the plate, giving the Giants the extra-innings, walk off, 1-0 win.

Cliff Lee got a no-decision as he pitched ten scoreless innings, giving up seven hits, while striking out ten. Antonio Bastardo (0-1, 4.50) took the lost as he pitched a third of an inning, giving up a run on two hits. Matt Cain also received a no-decision as he pitched nine scoreless innings, giving up only two hits and a walk, while striking out four Phils. Santiago Casilla threw a scoreless inning, giving up a hit. Sergio Romo pitched a third of an inning, giving up a hit. Javier Lopez pitched a third of an inning, striking out the only man that he would face. Clay Hensley (1-0, 0.00) got the win as he got out the only batter that he would face.

The Phils had only four hits in the ballgame, singles by Hunter Pence, Ty Wigginton and Freddy Galvis and a double by Carlos Ruiz, as they were very effectively handled by Giants’ starter Matt Cain and the Giants’ bullpen. The Phils sadly hurt themselves by not being patient during the whole game, as they only took one walk. I hate to say this so early in the season, but it needs to be said, this team is only going to win games if they act a bit more patiently at the plate, and that includes being willing to take walks. Otherwise, this is going to be a long season even before either Chase Utley or Ryan Howard comes back from their injuries.

The Phils (5-7, 5th East) continue their trip out west with the first game of a four-game set with the Padres (3-10, 5th West), presently the worst team in the majors. The game will be played at Petco Park, and is to start tonight at 10:05 pm EDT (7:05 pm PDT). The Phils will send to the mount Vance Worley (0-1, 3.75), who is coming off a lost against the Mets on April 14, as he would pitch six innings, giving up four runs on eight hits and four walks, while striking out five, in the Phils’ 5-0 lost. Worley will be trying to bounce back from his previous start, while trying to give the Phils a chance to end their present slide. The Padres will counter with Joe Wieland (0-1, 10.80), who is coming off a lost against the Dodgers on April 14, as he would pitch five innings in his major league debut, giving up six runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out one, in the Pardes’ 6-1 lost. He hopes to do better in his second career start. The Phils’ offense will be out to show that not all rookies can give them fits the first time they see them, while trying to end their present two-game losing streak.

A bad start by Cole Hamels, combined with a nowhere in sight offense, leads to the Phils losing their home opener to the Marlins, 6-2.

A bad start by Cole Hamels, the first Phil starter to falter in his first regular season start, combined with a presently non-existent offense, leads to the Phils dropping their home opener to the Marlins, 6-2.

The Marlins took the lead in the first as, with runners on second and third, and with nobody out, Hanley Ramirez hits an RBI ground out, 4-3, scoring Jose Reyes, who had earlier singled, then stopped at second base on Emilio Bonifacio’s single, before stealing third as the lead runner on a double steal, giving the Marlins a 1-0 lead, while sending Bonifacio, who had earlier singled, then was the trailing man on the double steal, on to third base. The Marlins added to their lead in the fourth as, with a runner on second, and with nobody out, Gaby Sanchez hits an RBI single, scoring Ramirez, who had started the inning off with a double, giving the Marlins a 2-0 lead. The Marlins then took a 3-0 lead in the fifth as Omar Infante hits a lead-off home run, his second home run of the season. The Marlins increased their lead in the sixth as, with one man on, and with one man out, G. Sanchez hits an RBI double, knocking in Bonifacio, who had earlier singled, giving the Marlins a 4-0 lead. The Marlins then made it a 5-0 lead in the seventh as Infante hits his second lead-off home run of the ball game, his third home run of the season. The Phils finally got on the scoreboard in their half of the seventh as, with runners on the corners, and with one man out, Freddy Galvis hits a two-run double, collecting his first major league hit, knocking in Shane Victorino, who had earlier singled, stopped at second base on John Mayberry Jr’s single, then went to third base on Carlos Ruiz’s force out, 3-6, forcing out Mayberry at second base for the inning’s first out, and Ruiz, who was safe at first on the force out, making it a 5-2 Marlins’ lead. The Marlins got one of the runs back in the ninth as Austin Kearns hits a lead-off home run, his first home run of the season. That would end up being the final score as Steve Cishek pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, getting Ruiz to strike out, swinging, for the game’s final out.

Cole Hamels (0-1, 5.06) took the lost as he went five and one-third innings, giving up four runs, three of which were earned, on eight hits, while he struck out nine Marlins. Joe Savery pitched one and two-thirds innings in his major league debut, as he gave up a run on a hit. David Herndon pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit, while striking out a batter. Jonathan Papelbon pitched an inning, giving up a run on a hit, while he struck out one. Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 2.84) got the win as he went six and one-third innings, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out four. Randy Choate recorded his first hold of the year as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting out both men that he would face, as he struck out a batter. Edward Mujica collected his second hold of the season as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Steve Cishek pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out two.

The Phils had only six hits in the game, with Jimmy Rollins leading the team with two hits, both singles. Hunter Pence (Single), Shane Victorino (Single), John Mayberry, Jr. (Single) and Freddy Galvis (Double, 2 RBIs), had the Phils’ other four hits. The Phils also had a steal (Rollins) in the game, as the offense continues with its early woes.

The Phils (1-3, 4th) have the day off tomorrow.

Spring Training: The Phils lose 1-0 to the Orioles on a solo home run.

The Phils’ spring training record even up at four-four as they lose 1-0 to the Orioles on a solo home run.

In the fourth, Chris Davis breaks up a 0-0 tie with a lead-off solo home run, his first home run of the spring, giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead. That would end up being the only score as neither team would be able to mount up much of an offense.

Joe Blanton received a no-decision as he pitched three strong innings, giving up four hits and a walk, while striking out three. Scott Elarton (0-1, 1.50) took the lost as he pitched four innings, giving up a run on a hit, while striking out four. Raul Valdes and Joe Savery combined for two 1-2-3 innings, striking out two batters (Valdes) between them. Brian Matusz (1-1, 4.50) got the win as he pitched four scoreless innings, giving up three hits, while striking out four. Alfredo Simon picked up his first hold of the spring as he pitched three scoreless innings, giving up two hits, while he struck out three. Oscar Villarreal also picked up his first hold of the spring as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Miguel Socolovich picked up his first save of the spring as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit, while striking out one.

The Phils had six hits in the game, with Tuffy Gosewisch (Single, Double), leading the team with two hits. Jimmy Rollins (Single), Placido Polanco (Single), Shane Victorino (Double) and Laynce Nix (Single) had the other four Phils’ hits, as the team was unable to mustard up an offense. The Phils also had a stolen base (Scott Podsednik) in the game.

The Phils (4-4) next grapefruit league game will be a pair of split squad games, one against the Tigers at Bright House Field in Clearwater, and the other against the Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Both games will start at 1:05 pm EDT.

2011 National League Divisional Series, Game #5: The Phils are once again knocked out of the playoffs, as they lose a 1-0 duel with the Cards.

The Phils are knocked out of the playoff, as they are three-hit by Cards’ ace Chris Carpenter, losing a 1-0 pitchers’ duel.

The Cards took a 1-0 lead in the first as, with a runner on third, and with nobody out, Skip Schumaker hits an RBI double, knocking in Rafael Furcal, who had started the game off with a triple. That would turn out to be the game’s only run, as Phils’ starter Roy Halladay would pitch his way out of a bases loaded jam later that inning, followed by a second bases loaded jam in the eighth, while Chris Carpenter almost went through the Phils’ line-up with little trouble, only getting into trouble in the fourth, before ending the game by getting Ryan Howard to ground out, 4-3, as he fell down in the baseline as he tore his achilles tendon on his left ankle trying to bust down the line.

Chris Carpenter (1-0, 3.00) gets the win as he pitched a complete game shutout, giving up just three hits, while striking out three. Roy Halladay (1-1, 2.25) took the lost as he went eight innings, giving up a run on six hits and a walk, while striking out seven. Ryan Madson pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two.

The Phils had only three hits in the game, with Shane Victorino leading the team with two hits, a single and a double, while Chase Utley had the other Phil hit, a single, as the offense once again became a non-entity during a series, as the team gets knocked out early by the much more effective Cards.

With the lost, the Phils are now back to square one, while they might be facing 2012 with the lost of several players through free agency (Ryan Madson, Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez) while looking at the prospect of having no Ryan Howard during all of 2012 because of his achillies tendon injury. This is not going to be a fun fall and winter. GRRRRRR!!!!

33 games in 31 days: Game #19: The Phils cut their magic number to win the East down to two games as Ryan Howard hits a walk-off double to defeat the fish in extra-innings, 2-1.

The Phils’ magic number to win their fifth straight Eastern Division title is now down to two games as they sweep the Marlins on Ryan Howard’s walk-off double in the bottom of the tenth of the nightcap, as they defeat the fish, 2-1.

The Phils took the lead in the sixth as John Mayberry, Jr. hits a lead-off home run, his fourteenth home run of the season, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. That seems to be enough for Cliff Lee, as he held down the Marlins for eight and two-thirds innings, giving up just four hits up to that point, while striking out twelve batters, and had an 0-2 count on Jose Lopez, when Lopez hit Lee’s next pitch, a cutter, into the left field seats, for his eighth home run of the season, tying the game up at one-all. Lee then ended the inning by getting Omar Infante to ground out, 4-3, for the inning’s final out. After the Phils went down 1-2-3 in the ninth, and then Michael Schwimer came in and pitched a 1-2-3 top of the tenth, Burke Badenhop came in to pitched the bottom of the tenth for the Marlins. Michael Martinez, the first man to face him, walked on four pitches. The next batter, pinch hitter Ryan Howard, worked the count to 3-1, before hitting a sinker into left center field for a double, which would score Martinez, giving the Phils a 2-1 walk-off win.

Cliff Lee received a no-decision as he pitched nine inning, giving up a run on five hits, while striking out twelve. Michael Schwimer (1-0, 3.24) got the win, his first in the majors, as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out two. Alex Sanabia also received a no-decision as he went six innings, giving up a run on six hits, as he struck out five. Steve Cishek and Edward Mujica combined for three scoreless innings, giving up a hit (Mujica), while striking five (Cishek (1), Mujica (4)) between them. Burke Badenhop (2-2, 4.01) took the lost as he pitched to just two batters, getting neither of them out, as he gave up a run on a hit and a walk.

The Phils had eight hits in the ballgame, with John Mayberry, Jr. (Single, Home Run, RBI) and Ross Gload (Singles) both leading the team with two hits each. Chase Utley (Single), Hunter Pence (Double), Cliff Lee (Single) and pinch hitter Ryan Howard (Double, RBI), had the other four Phils’ hits.

The Phils (97-51, 1st East) will now start a four-games series with the Cardinals (81-68, 2nd Central), starting with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park, and will start at 7:05 pm EDT. The Phils will send to the mound Vance Worley (11-2, 2.92), who is coming off a lost to the Brewers on September 11, as he pitched six and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs on eight hits and a walk, while striking out seven, in the Phils’ 3-2 lost. He will be going for win number twelve, while trying to get the Phils one step closer to winning their fifth straight Eastern Division title. The Cardinals will counter with Jaime Garcia (12-7, 3.68), who is coming off a win against the Braves on September 10, as he went six innings, giving up three runs on eight hits, while striking out four, in the Cardinals’ 4-3 win. He will be trying to keep the Cardinals’ playoff hopes alive. The Phils will be trying to shorten their magic number in the East to at least one game.

Cliff Lee throws his second straight complete game shutout as he six-hit the Cards in the 4-0 Phils win.

Two home runs support a six-hit complete game shutout thrown by Cliff Lee, his second in two straight starts, as the Phils defeat the Cards, 4-0.

The Phils took the lead in the fourth as Jimmy Rollins hits a lead-off home run, his seventh home run of the season, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. Three batters later, with one man on, and with one man out, the Phils took a 3-0 lead as Ryan Howard hits a  two-run home run, his sixteenth home run of the season, scoring Chase Utley, who had just singled. The Phils then took a 4-0 lead in the ninth as, with one man on, and with one man out, Utley hits a sacrifice fly, knocking in Shane Victorino, who had earlier tripled. That would be all the runs support that Cliff Lee would need as he proceeded to pitch a six-hit complete game shut out, his second straight complete game shutout.

Cliff Lee (8-5, 2.87) got the win as he pitched a complete game shutout, giving up just six hits and a walk, while striking out only three batters. Kyle Lohse (7-4, 2.91) took the lost as he pitched eight innings, giving up four runs on seven hits. Mitchell Boggs pitched an inning, giving up a run on a hit, as he struck out one.

The Phils had eight hits in the ballgame, with Jimmy R0llins (Single, Home Run, RBI) and Ryan Howard (Single, Home Run, 2 RBIs) both leading the team with two hits each. Shane Victorino (Triple), Chase Utley (Single, RBI), Placido Polanco (Single) and Carlos Ruiz (Single) had the other four Phils’ hits.

The Phils (47-28, 1st East) will conclude their three-game series with the Cards (40-35, 2nd Central) with a night game at Busch Stadium (III). The game will start at 8:15 pm EDT (7:15 pm CDT). The Phils will send to the mound Roy Oswalt (4-5, 3.38) , who is coming off a lost against the Mariners on June 17, as he went six and a third innings, giving up four runs on eight hits and a walk, while striking out just three, in the Phils’ 4-2 lost. He will be trying  to even up his record, while also trying to pitch the Phils to their second sweep in their last three series.  The Cards will counter with Chris Carpenter (1-7, 4.47), who is coming off a lost against the Royals on June 17, as he pitched eight innings, giving up five runs, four of which were earned, on ten hits and a walk, while striking out seven, in the Cards’ 5-4 lost. He will be trying to keep the Cards from being swept by the Phils. The Phils will be going for the series sweep, before coming home to face the Athletics during the weekend.

The Phils gets blanked as they drop the series opener to the D-backs, 4-0.

The Phils are once again snakebit in Phoenix as they are blanked by the D-backs, 4-0.

The D-backs took the lead in the third as, with one man on, and with two men out, Chris Young hits a two-run home run, his fifth home run of the year, knocking in Ryan Roberts, who had earlier singled, and then stole second base, giving the D-backs a 2-0 lead. The D-backs increased their lead to 3-0 in the fifth as, with one man out, Gerardo Parra hits a solo home run, his first home run of the season. The D-backs then increased their lead in the sixth as, with a runner on second, and with two men out, Xavier Nady hits an RBI single, scoring Justin Upton, who had earlier walked, then stole second, giving the D-backs a 4-0 lead. That would be all that D-backs starter Ian Kennedy would need as he threw a complete game, three-hit shut out on the Phils, ending the game by striking out Jimmy Rollins.

Cliff Lee (2-2, 4.18) took the lost as he pitched seven innings, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out twelve. Michael Stutes made his major league debut as he pitched a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. Ian Kennedy (3-1, 4.02) got the win as he pitched a complete game shut out, giving up only three hits, while striking out ten.

The Phils offense only had three hits in the game, two hits by Placido Polanco, a double and a single, and a single by Jimmy Rollins. The offense is doing nothing right now, as they are not even attempting to take walks, and swinging at bad pitches at the worst possible time, while either not swinging or fouling off ‘good’ pitches. This has got to change guys. This is suppose to be one of the worst pitching staffs in the NL. Act accordingly. PLEASE!!!

The Phils (15-7, 1st NL East) will continue their series with the D-backs (9-12, 4th NL West) with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Chase Field and will begin at 9:40 pm EDT (6:40 pm PDT). The Phils will send to the mound Roy Oswalt (3-0, 1.88), who is coming off a win against the Padres on April 21, as he went six strong shut out innings, giving up only a hit and two walks, in the Phils’ 3-0 win. He will be going for his fourth win, while trying to even the series in Phoenix. The D-backs will counter with Daniel Hudson (0-4, 5.92), who is coming off a lost against the Reds on April 21, as he went five and one-thirds innings, giving up 5 runs on seven hits and four walks, while striking out only three, in the D-backs’ 7-4 lost. He will be trying for his first win of the year, while hoping that the Phils’ bat won’t decide to erupt on him. The Phils will be trying to even up the series, while trying to get the bats out of their present funk.

Saturday: 2010 National League Championship Series, Game # 6: The Phils are eliminated from the post-season as the offense once again fail the pitching as they lose, 3-2.

The Phils lose their National League crown as the offense once again this series fail to support their pitching staff as they lose a close game to the Giants, 3-2.

The Phils took the lead in the first as, with one man on, and with one man out, Chase Utley hits an RBI double, knocking in Placido Polanco, who had earlier walked, then moved up to second on Jonathan Sanchez’s wild pitch, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Phils then made it a 2-0 lead as, now with runners on the corners, and with still one man out, Jayson Werth hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Utley, who had moved up to third on Ryan Howard’s single. The Giants cut the Phils’ lead in half in the third as, with runners on second and third, and with one man out, Aubrey Huff hits an RBI single, knocking in J. Sanchez, who had earlier singled, moved up to second on Andre Torres’ singled, then went to third on Freddy Sanchez’s sacrifice bunt, making it a 2-1 Phils’ lead, before Torres, who had earlier singled, and moved up to second base on F. Sanchez’s sacrifice bunt, is thrown out at the plate, 8-2, for the inning’s second out, while Huff would move up to second base on the throw. The Giants then tied up the score at two-all as Huff scores on a fielding error by Polanco on Buster Posey’s grounder to third, as he hit the runner with the ball. The score would stay tie for the next few half innings as neither side would be able to get a run across, especially the Phils, whose offense is constantly unable to get a key hit. The Giants then took the lead in the eighth as, with two men out, Juan Uribe hits a solo home run, his first home run of the series, giving the Giants a 3-2 lead. That would end up being the final score as Brian Wilson would collect his third save of the series by striking out Howard looking, with two men on base, for the final out of the series, making the Giants the 2010 National League Champions.

Roy Oswalt receives a no-decision as he pitches six innings, giving up two runs, only one of which was earned, on nine hits, while he strikes out five. Ryan Madson took the lost as he pitches two innings, giving up a run on two hits and a walk, while striking out three. His series record is 0-1 with 1.35 ERA. Brad Lidge pitches a scoreless ninth, giving up two hits, while striking out two. Jonathan Sanchez also receives a no-decision as he pitches only two innings, plus two batters, as he gives up two runs on three hits, two walks, a wild pitch and a hit batter. Jeremy Affeldt pitches two 1-2-3 innings, striking out two batters. Madison Bumgarner pitches two scoreless innings, giving up three hits and a walk, while striking out a batter. Javier Lopez gets the win as he pitches a 1-2-3 inning, striking out a batter. His series record is 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA. Tim Lincecum collects his first hold of the series as he pitches a third of an inning, giving up two hits, while striking out a batter. Brian Wilson collects his third save of the series as he pitches a scoreless inning and two-thirds, giving up two walks, while striking out a batter.

The Phils had eight hits in the game, with Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez all leading the team with two hits each, with Howard and Ibanez’s two hits being a single and a double, while Victorino’s two hits were both singles. Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley had the other two Phils’ hits, with Rollins’ hit being a single, and Utley’s hit being an RBI double. Jayson Werth knocked in the other Phil run with a sac fly. The Phils’ offense spent the entire series unable to get any sustain offensive attack going against Giants’ pitching, thus leading to their lost in the series.

The Phils will now be spending the winter trying to recover from the lost, seeing what needs to be corrected and who needs to be resigned or let go, before making another run in 2011.